Use the Public Library to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint!
Book production requires a lot of resources. For the US alone, the publishing industry uses around 32 million trees to produce books each year. The production of print books requires paper, which is manufactured by cutting down trees that are nature's carbon sinks. Globally, the production process itself emits more than 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. When it comes to pulp and paper, book publishing is reportedly the third-largest industrial greenhouse gas emitter. So, the next time you have the impulse to buy a new book to read, download an e-version (available at public libraries if you don’t want to purchase) or borrow the hard copy from the library or a friend instead of buying a new copy. Sharing books is a great way to reduce waste and reuse materials. And remember, your used books can be donated to Goodwill or a “friends of the library” associated with many public libraries.